The Emirates News Agency reported that the Sheikh Zayed Festival opens tomorrow in Al Wathba, offering visitors a mix of traditional Emirati displays and global cultural exchanges across its desert grounds in Abu Dhabi. Organisers have scheduled daily openings in the afternoon and evening to accommodate families and tourists alike throughout the cooler months. The event’s focus remains on preserving national heritage while introducing contemporary entertainment elements that have defined its appeal in recent years.
Festival organisers noted that the celebration, which first launched in 2010, takes its name from the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and now ranks among the capital’s largest annual gatherings. A planning overview indicated the current edition will extend for 136 days under the patronage of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan supervising operations. This structure allows for phased programming that builds toward major national holidays including Eid Al Etihad and New Year’s Eve.
According to event guides, the festival will feature a heritage village with Emirati crafts, folk performances and markets alongside pavilions representing multiple nations that showcase their own traditions and products. Fireworks displays are set for every Saturday, supplemented by drone shows that in past seasons earned Guinness World Records for scale and complexity. Such attractions have consistently drawn large crowds, with one prior opening day exceeding 30,000 attendees as documented in earlier WAM coverage.
The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority reported that a related summer dates festival in Al Wathba earlier this year attracted more than 25,000 visitors over seven days while hosting competitions with prizes totaling Dh5.677 million. That event highlighted the area’s capacity to combine agricultural heritage with public engagement, drawing 448 contestants and entries surpassing 4,385 tonnes of produce. Similar turnout is anticipated for the main festival given its broader scope and established reputation.
Festival operators stated that tickets remain available through the official online portal at zayedfestival.ae, with entry fees consistent with previous seasons. The programme will conclude on March 14, 2027, after incorporating seasonal highlights such as expanded entertainment zones and thematic exhibitions. Organisers have emphasised coordination with transport services to manage expected visitor volumes efficiently across the extended run.